Migrant Talent Garden

From 15 to 16 September, the partners of the Mirgrant Talent Garden (MTG) project gathered in Vilnius to discuss the current issues of the project and the planned project activities. So far, the project has organized training for both specialists on working with migrants and entrepreneurs on cooperation with newcomers. At the same time, a 10 lecture cycle was held on starting a business, developing different ideas and opportunities to implement them. Representatives of the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA) participated as special guests, telling about state support tools for entrepreneurs.

The project is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment. 

Lecture on product sales and distribution channels led by the entrepreneur Jānis Zaltāns! 

Part 1:

Part 2:

The project is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment.

We are inviting you to watch the lecture on product design and development led by the internationally renowned designer Charles Busmanis!

The project is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment.

We invite you to dive into the project`s "Migrant Talent Garden" fifth lecture! This time Kārlis Kivlenieks, the senior expert of the Innovation Center of the University of Latvia, introduced the viewers and listeners to the process of creating and testing various business ideas.

Next lecture on communication and public relations already on thursday:

 Application form: MTG Pre-incubation RSVP

The project is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment.

On Thursday, May 13th, project’s “Migrant Talent Garden” lecture on product development led by internationally renowned designer Charles Bushman was held.

We are grateful to Charles for sharing his experience and knowledge!

The project is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment.

We invite those interested to watch the project`s Migrant Talent Garden Latvia fourth lecture in which Dāvis Suneps - company registration expert, mentor and lecturer of several business incubators - introduced watchers and viewers to the details of establishing a business.

The project is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment.

Next lecture on product design and development will be held on thursday, may 13th.

The application for the lecture is possible by filling in the following form: MTG Pre-incubation RSVP

The project is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment. 

The fifth lecture of the project "Migrant Talent Garden" has been successfuly held. In this lecture Kārlis Kivlenieks, a senior expert of the Innovation Center of the University of Latvia, introduced the participants of the lecture to the process of creating and testing various business ideas.

The project is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment. 

On April 15, the 2nd lecture of the project "Migrant Talent Garden" on business nuances was succesfully held! The main topic of the 2nd lecture: customer development! Now it is possible to watch the lecture on the organization`s "Shelter "Safe House"" youtube channel. We are grateful to Ernests Štāls for his inspiring performance!

The project is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment. 

The next lecture of the project "Migrant Talent Garden" will take place on Wednesday, May 5, at 5PM.

 Application form: MTG Pre-incubation RSVP

The project is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment. 

Lecture was held by Dāvis Suneps: company registration expert, mentor and lecturer of several business incubators.

The project is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment. 

From now on the first lecture on entrepreneurship of the project "Migrant Talent Garden" held by Viesturs Sosārs can be watched on the youtube channel of the organization "Shelter" Safe House "".

The project is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment. 

Next "Migrant Talent Garden" free of charge pre-incubation cycle lecture by the experienced expert Dāvis Suneps will be held on tuesday, april 27th! 

Application is possible by filling in the following form: MTG Pre-incubation RSVP

The project is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment. 

On 20.04.2021. Diāna Lāce-Davidova, a lecturer at the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga, gave a remote lecture to the participants of the project "Migrant Talent Garden" on the most common business models in the field of entrepreneurship. During the lecture, the listeners were given the opportunity to get acquainted in detail with the mechanisms that are the basis for the full functioning of a successful business.

The next lecture of the project "Migrant Talent Garden" on business nuances will take place this Thursday, at 17:00! Lecture topic: customer development, lecturer: entrepreneur Ernests Štāls.

Application form: MTG Pre-incubation RSVP

The project is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment. 

We are utterly happy to announce that our first lecturer at the pre-incubation seminar series will be Viesturs Sosārs!

The project is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment.

Source: https://migrantgarden.eu/study-visit/info-sessions-all-partner-countries/

During the last months of 2019, Migrant Talent Garden organised communication events in Croatia, Bulgaria, Greece, Latvia, Iceland, Norway and Lithuania to showcase the project`s goals and results so far. 

On the 11th of October Latvian “Shelter “Safe House” organized a networking event for 20 young migrants from more than 6 different countries, including India, Syria, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Turkey, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. In addition to young migrants, the event brought in participants representing different Latvian organizations and institutions. The event served as a platform to discuss and share information about entrepreneurship, possible opportunities, as well as challenges one might face when starting a business.

On October 15th Iceland held their communication event in cooperation with the Icelandic Directorate of Labour. During the event, Sóley Ómarsdóttir, project manager of the Red Cross, introduced the MTG project and the Directorate of Labour held an information session about worker’s rights in Iceland. About 25 migrants and other stakeholders attended the event that was translated into Spanish, Persian, Arabic and Kurdish.

After two weeks, on the 29th of October MTG gathering took place in the capital of Bulgaria Sofia. Representatives of Caritas Sofia and Hemus Technologies (HT) have got together to discuss the MTG project its aims, work done and planned activities. As a result, Memorandum of Understanding in order to define the nature and scope of the relationship of the two parties within the frames of the MTG project implementation was signed. Another communication event to present the methodology and research results to a wider public is also planned in the nearest future.

Caritas Norway held their communication event on November 11th in Oslo, Norway. The Course leader and founder of PEL Services Rafael Garavito, as well as other local partners, were invited. The event gathered more than 25 participants who were informed about the project’s progress and our partner organizations.

The Croatian team – ZIP – organized two dissemination events: The first one was held on November 14th in Algebra Lab and tailored to start-up communities and investors. The event announced a new start-up program focused on migrant founders. The second event took place on the 25th of November. Migrant support organizations and business coaches were gathered to familiarise themselves with the project and discuss the possibilities of cooperation. Additionally, ZIP announced a plan to support migrants when starting a company or finding a job. Participants engaged in a discussion regarding the current migrant situation in Croatia. The discussion leads to many concluding that Croatia lacks a large number of migrants and that there is not so much support available from institutions. However, it is expected that there will be changes in the Croatian approach towards migrants due to the increasing number of Croatians leaving Croatia, resulting in a foreseen need for new labour migrants.

On December 3rd Migrant Talent Garden Lithuania organised two group seminars for 20 people. The first one took place at Caritas Foreigners integration centre, where MTG presented their research results and methodology. During the seminar, migrants were able to speak to and hear a success story by an established migrant who owns a restaurant. The second seminar took place at the Kaunas University of Technology. Here lawyers were available to answer questions and share legal advice regarding establishing a business. MTG`s project manager Laura Riaubaitė introduced benefits of participation in the project.

To end the yearly events Greece held their communication event on December 19th. An open-door day was organised to present MTG`s progress and results from the study visit.  The topic of volunteerism (LIONS International Club District 117A Greece) was also presented. The presentation was followed by an open discussion about the challenges migrants face when establishing a business in Greece. 

Hence the aforementioned events were organised to present the progress of Migrant Talent Garden through informative gatherings.

The project is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment. Project co-financed by Ministry of Culture.

2019 has been a fruitful year for the project Migrant Talent Garden, which saw researching entrepreneurship schemes in Europe and designing networking plans between partner organizations, local entrepreneurs and young migrants interested in taking part in the business incubator.

The project was implemented to study European entrepreneurship, but above all to help migrants develop their own business ideas and create new jobs. To do so, the organizations will create a business support network and training programs, supported by an online platform and local centers to help and train young entrepreneurs from migrant backgrounds.

With successful study visits in all seven partner countries, which include Norway, Iceland, Lithuania, Greece, Croatia, Bulgaria and Latvia, organizations gained valuable experience and knowledge that was and will be put into practice throughout the project.

A communication event which gathered around 20 young migrants living in Latvia, from more than 6 different countries and representatives from different Latvian organizations and institutions, offered a platform for all parts involved to discuss and share their ideas about entrepreneurship, the challenges one might face and opportunities that starting a business may bring.

When looking ahead to 2020, we see countless opportunities that are coming our way - creating the actual business network support and accelerator program, setting up an online migrant business support platform and establishing migrant youth business support hub that will provide mentorship & make sure young migrants have a chance to implement their business ideas.

Society "Shelter "Safe House"" in cooperation with partners from six countries - Croatia, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Greece, Norway and Iceland – in October 2018 has started implementing the project "Migrant Talent Garden".

It’s aim is to involve migrants aged 15 to 29 in creating business, including to provide support to this target group, knowledge of national laws, and conditions for setting up their own business. It is planned that the project will create an e-platform for business support, which will provide online opportunities for participation in the training program, as well as information on the regulatory base for starting a business in each project member state, as well as the establishment of business incubators for migrants in each of project countries.

“Shelter "Safe House”” as a cooperation partner will play a role in the creation of an online training system, in the training of business experts, in the establishment of a business incubator.

Project "Garden of Migrant Talents" Nr. 2017-1-186. Project implementation time 01.10.2018. - 30.09.2022.

The project is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment. Project co-financed by Ministry of Culture.

If you are 15 – 29 years old foreigner,
If you have started to think about your own business,
You have ideas, but you don`t know where to start - 

Business incubator will give free-of-charge support to start your own business!

If you are 15 – 29 years old foreigner,
If you have started to think about your own business,
You have ideas, but you don`t know where to start - 

We invite you to the event - on Friday, the 11th of October, in the society “Shelter “Safe House”” (Lāčplēša street 75 -1B, Riga) at 4PM, there will be a discussion about starting a business in Latvia for foreigners. We will also cover the topic of support in such business.

Alvis Šķenders, client consultant of the Information Centre for Newcomers, will illuminate business opportunities in Latvia. Gunta Vīksne, the Head of society “Shelter “Safe House”” will introduce us to a new European project "Migrant Talent Garden", that can support your business.

To submit your participation, please sending a message to: info@integration.lv.

We hope to see you!

Society "Shelter "Safe House"" in cooperation with partners from six countries - Croatia, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Greece, Norway and Iceland - has started implementing the project "Migrant Talent Garden". It’s aim is to involve migrants aged 15 to 29 in creating business, including to provide support to this target group, knowledge of national laws, and conditions for setting up their own business. It is planned that the project will create an e-platform for business support, which will provide online opportunities for participation in the training program, as well as information on the regulatory base for starting a business in each project member state, as well as the establishment of business incubators for migrants in each of project countries.

More information about project "Migrant Talent Garden"<<

Project "Migrant Talents Garden" Nr. 2017-1-186. Project implementation time 01.10.2018. - 30.09.2022. 

The project is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment. Project co-financed by Ministry of Culture.

A study visit of the “Migrant Talent Garden” project took place in Riga from 30 to 31 May 2019. The aim of the visit was to learn about business environment in Latvia and social entrepreneurship. Participants of the project from six countries - Greece, Bulgaria, Norway, Island, Croatia and Lithuania - visited the society “Shelter “Safe House”” as a part of the programme of the study visit. “Migrant Talent Garden” project is aimed at creating an electronic platform for supporting business that would allow on-line participation in a training programme and provide information about business initiation legislation of each participating country of the project. Creation of business incubators for immigrants is also planned under the project in each of the aforementioned participating countries. 

“Shelter “Safe House”” Board Member Gunta Vīksne (Gunta Vīksne) told the participants of the project about the society`s many years of experience and offered practical examples in the field of integration. SIA (LLC) “Baltijas Datoru Akadēmija” Project Coordinator Marija Vilne (Marija Vilne) presented to the visitors the training material and programme for the development of social entrepreneurship and business competence developed by the company. The material was created based on the experience and knowledge of non-governmental organisations and training centres as a contemporary learning tool easily adaptable to circumstances of each country to enable immigrant business development. She told that the learning tool is intended to assist in training migrants with different level of education and social status, providing them with the basic knowledge of entrepreneurship principles, local business environment and steps they have to take for the development of their own business.

The guests also met with Regita Zeiļa (Regita Zeiļa) from the Social Entrepreneurship Association of Latvia, who told about social entrepreneurship, including - what is a social enterprise under the Latvian law and forms of support available in Latvia.  To inspire the visitors she shared several experiences, mentioning as examples the social enterprises “Humusa komanda” (Hummus Team), “BlindArt” and the chain of charity shops “Otrā elpa” (Second Breath).

The young entrepreneur from India Shashikanth Reddy Kotha shared his personal experience, difficulties, successes and thoughts on starting his own business in Latvia. Participants of the project could also ask questions to the entrepreneur to understand better opportunities for immigrants to start a business in Latvia.

The guests had also an opportunity to meet and ask their questions to the Head of ISMA Business Incubator Viktorija Rjascenko (Viktorija Rjaščenko). Students are given an opportunity to develop and implement their business ideas with the help of ISMA Business Incubator. Viktorija Rjascenko told that a business incubator serves as a means to support the development of business ideas, projects, foundation of one`s own business and its successful further promotion. “A business incubator serves as the first micro-environment for the new enterprise, in which based on consultations with professionals in the field entrepreneurial skills are developed, knowledge and experience are acquired. There young entrepreneurs may receive assistance with accounting, taxes and preparation of a business plan,” emphasized V.Rjascenko.

The Head of the ESF project “Support to Social Entrepreneurship” (implemented by the Ministry of Welfare) Juris Cebulis (Juris Cebulis) told the participants of the project about the legal framework of a social enterprise and possibilities to receive financial support for the operation of social enterprises. He also explained the criteria an entrepreneur must meet, if he or she wishes to obtain the status of a social enterprise and apply for support from the state. J.Cebulis mentioned also practical benefits provided by the Social Entreprise Law, told about the procedure of obtaining the status of a social enterprise in Latvia and also listed the most common errors made, when applying for the status of a social enterprise. 

Specialized Consultant Ronalds Kraze (Ronalds Kraže) on the State Employment Agency (SEA) project “Integration of Fugitives and Persons Under Subsidiary Protection in the Employment Market in Latvia” told, how the agency places fugitives and persons under subsidiary protection with employers. He mentioned poor language skills, insufficient previous work experience, low motivation and a weak understanding of the country`s tax system as the main challenges. In his opinion, right now Latvian entrepreneurs are open and ready to work with persons, who have acquires the status of a fugitive or a person under subsidiary protection.

The hosting organisation “Shelter “Safe House”” for the visit under the project indicates that the participants of the “Migrant Talent Garden” project displayed great interest in the business opportunities for immigrants in our country throughout the meeting and asked many of questions on the subject to the representatives of the organisation and special invited guests too. The participants of the project recognised also that excellent professionals with high qualification work in Latvia, cooperation with whom would allow to create a more successful environment for the integration of immigrants and development of business.

The project is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment.

Society "Shelter "Safe House"" in cooperation with partners from six countries - Croatia, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Greece, Norway and Iceland - has started implementing the project "Migrant Talent Garden".

It’s aim is to involve migrants aged 15 to 29 in creating business, including to provide support to this target group, knowledge of national laws, and conditions for setting up their own business. It is planned that the project will create an e-platform for business support, which will provide online opportunities for participation in the training program, as well as information on the regulatory base for starting a business in each project member state, as well as the establishment of business incubators for migrants in each of project countries.

“Shelter "Safe House”” as a cooperation partner will play a role in the creation of an online training system, in the training of business experts, in the establishment of a business incubator.

In order to discuss the business opportunities of migrants in Europe, a meeting of partners of the project "Migrant Talent Garden" took place in Lithuania on 28-29 May. On May 30-31 in Latvia, in the society "Shelter "Safe House"", a study visit to the project "Migrant Talent Garden" took place.

Project "Garden of Migrant Talents" Nr. 2017-1-186. Project implementation time 01.10.2018. - 30.09.2022. 

The project is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment.